Country Christmas Town
It’s time for the County Christmas Town at Happy’s Farm, 985 Parks Road (off Mt. Hope Church Road).
From 6:30-8:30 p.m. on two Saturdays, Dec. 8 and 15, Happy’s Farm features wagon rides through the Peppermint Forest, Christmas cookie decorating, Cowboys Santa’s Workshop and horse rides. A $5 pass covers all activities. Concessions of apple cider, hot cocoa and cotton candy will be available for purchase. Call 704-279-5286 for details.

Chrismon Tour
On Saturday, Dec. 15, tour two of the earliest churches in North Carolina to display Chrismon Trees (early1960s). On display, see their trees decorated with the original Chrismon ornaments and the new Christian Symbol designs. A total of five trees will be decorated.
g St. John’s, 200 W. Innes St., 9 a.m.–noon. St. John’s Lutheran Church organized in 1747, was the first Lutheran Church in Salisbury, a 1926 Gothic Revival style exterior and a 52’ ceiling painted in a medieval Scandinavian style. The gold leaf triptych behind the altar is an original painting by Olaf Olsen and the front four bronze doors were custom made for the church. Other features are the Casavant Opus organ and the 1931 Deagan Tower Chimes (one of only 200 still in operation today). The Chapel addition was added in 1967. The Sanctuary will feature a 15’ tree and a 7.5’ children’s tree in the Chapel.
g First UMC, 217 S. Church St., 10 a.m.–1 p.m. First United Methodist Church,was organized in 1783. The new addition was dedicated in the spring of 2012. Points of interest are the stained glass window behind the altar and their Schantz pipe organ. The church is known for their music program. The new, quilted liturgical art Banners were made by Kerstin McDaniel of Asheville. The sanctuary will feature two 12’ trees and one 10’ tree in the narthex.
Rufty’s Chrismon Shop will be open from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. for this special event, 280 Furniture Drive, behind the Wilco Travel Plaza off Peeler Road @ I-85, Exit 71. The Rowan Museum, 202 N. Main St., will be open from 1-4 p.m. with a display of the original Chrismons.

Youth Theatre Winter Workshop
Piedmont Players Theatre (PPT) announces The Jack Tales Audition Workshop, the youth theatre winter workshop, focusing on preparing young students to audition for a play, specifically geared towards PPT’s upcoming production of The Jack Tales. Skills developed will be in stage presence, stage movement and acting. If your child has ever wanted to audition but just didn’t know how, has auditioned many times and just can’t seem to get that role, or just wants to fine tune their audition skills, call 704-633-5471 to sign up.
The workshop is Saturday, Jan. 5, from 9 a.m.-noon, with instructor Gwen Matthews, held at the the Norvell Theater rehearsal hall. It is for ages elementary through high school; cost $40; only 20 spots are available. The Norvell is at 135 E. Fisher St. www.piedmontplayers.com

Railwalk reception
?Railwalk Studios presents “A Sense of Place” photography by Elizabeth McAdams. The exhibit opens today, Dec. 6, and runs through Jan. 26, with an artist reception Friday evening, Dec. 7, from 6-8 p.m. Rail Walk Studios and Gallery is lcoated at 409-413 N. Lee St. Regular gallery hours are Thursday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 704-431-8964,s www.railwalkgallery.com

Victorian Christmas at the Hall House
Historic Salisbury Foundation presents the ?Dr. Josephus Hall House, 226 S. Jackson St., decked out in its 1820 finery for “A Victorian Christmas at the Hall House.” Costumed docents lead holiday-themed tours 1-4 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, beginning this weekend, Dec 8, and continuing through Dec. 23. Tickets are $3 adults, $1.50 students.
For details visit www.historicsalisbury.org. For group tours, call HSF at 704-636-0103.

Ahmad gallery talk
In conjunction with the Art of Faiths – Religions of the World: Tolerance and Diversity exhibition and as part of the Salute to 50 Years of Studio Glass, glass artist Syed Ahmad will present a special gallery talk to share the process, inspiration and symbolism of his work. Syed uses a technique called glass fusing, where dichroic glass sheets are cut and shaped by hand, and then layered in an overlapping collage. His inspiration for this work comes from the ancient Islamic art of calligraphy as well as patterns found in nature. Free. To help us better prepare, RSVP to 704-636-1882. Wine and beverages will be served.
Waterworks Visual Arts Center, Tuesday, Dec. 11 from 5:30-7 p.m, 123 E. Liberty St., www.waterworks.org

Holiday ‘Open Art’
Salisbury Art Station is holding a holiday “Open Art” on Saturdays, Dec. 8,15 and 22. Drop off your child anytime between 1-4 p.m. at $15 per hour. Second child discounts are available. Kids will work on creative projects and gifts while you have time to get things ready for the Holidays. Preregistration is necessary at www.salisburyartstation.com or 704-754-0853. Located at the Salisbury Train Depot, 215 Depot St.

Cooking at the Concord Library
CONCORD — Gina Guthrie of Bocca Felice Catering will present Healthy Holiday Cooking & Entertaining for Teens on Tuesday, Dec. 18 at 5 p.m. and for adults at 6:15 p.m. at the Concord Library. This will be a fun and interactive demonstration to teach teens healthy ways to prepare some of their holiday favorites and present them at a holiday party with friends, and for adults, emphasizing eating seasonally and locally. Samples will be provided. Spaces are limited and registration is requiredat 704-920-2054, www.cabarruscounty.us/library or facebook.
RoBoJo Theatre returns
RoBoJo Theatre Troupe returns to Rowan Public Library on Saturday, Dec. 8, for the 13th annual presentation of their Holiday Theater. A group of talented local actors will join children’s librarian Robert Jones to perform an hour-long variety show of skits, songs, readers theater, and audience participation.
Favorite children’s books such as “The Christmas Crocodile” come to life in a hilarious and often spontaneous fashion. The skit “Santa Visits the Moes” had everyone laughing in the aisles in years past. “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” returns as well as Santa Duck, Claude the Dog, Miss Wishy-Washy’s Christmas. Corny jokes, funny limericks, and adorable puppets add to the show.
Adults as well as children are encouraged to attend, as the program is a celebration of all that is good during this holiday season.
The one-time-only show begins at 2 p.m. in the Stanback Auditorium at RPL’s Headquarters location, 201 W. Fisher St. For more information call 704-216-8234.
Tranqwool open house
SPENCER — The Holiday Open House is this Saturday for the Green Goat and TranqWool from 1-5 p.m., Dec. 8, with refreshments and libations. Several of the Gallery’s artists will be in attendance.
TranqWool Knitting Provisions and the Green Goat Gallery are located at 516 S. Salisbury Ave., www.tranqwoolknittingprovisions.com, 704-431-4527.

New pottery shop open house
LANDIS — Black Dachshund Pottery, located at 503 W. Mill St., will hold an open house event celebrating the Christmas season from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on two Saturdays, Dec. 8 and 15.
Margaret Deadmon, potter, creates functional stoneware such as mugs, yarn bowls, pie dishes, bread crocks and casseroles.
Demonstrations will be done as time allows during the open house. Deadmon will be answering questions, working on the wheel, carving or working on Christmas order pieces.

Family laser show at Horizons
‘Laser Holidays’ is a heartwarming program of favorite holiday music and laser light images. Delight to the sounds of Sleigh Ride, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Jingle Bell Rock, Frosty the Snowman, and more. There will be two shows on Saturday, Dec.15, at 5 and 6:30 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for guests 12 and under. Margaret C. Woodson Planetarium, 1636 Parkview Circle. Park and enter in the back. Horizons Unlimited, 704-639-3004.

J’Alston’s open house
J’Alston’s Studio and Gallery, 1007 Richard St., will be hosting its first Holiday Open House on Saturday, Dec. 8, from 11a.m.-6 p.m.
The public is invited to come and enjoy refreshments as they browse. For more information, contact Jimmy or Lesley Alston at 704 232 1467 or jalston13@carolina.rr.com.

‘The Winter’s Night’
KANNAPOLIS — Southern Piedmont Singers present “The Winter’s Night,” a Christmas concert featuring beloved carols and new holiday music, on Sunday, Dec.9, at 5:30 p.m. at Kimball Memorial Lutheran Church, 101 Vance St. Admission is free with a free reception to follow. Musical selections include “Sparklejollytwinklejingley” from the Broadway musical “Elf” and choral gems such as Morten Lauridsen’s “O Magnum Mysterium.”
Audience members are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots if able. The Southern Piedmont Singers is a youth and adult community chamber choir under the direction of Damien Evans.

Mocksville events
Downtown Mocksville Hometown Holiday Events continue in December.
g Hayride — Friday, Dec. 7 from 6:30-8 p.m. beginning at 185 N. Main St./Station on Main. Free to the Public
g A storyteller shares Christmas stories — Sat., Dec. 8 at noon, 2 and 4 p.m. at The Book Rack, 114 N. Main St. (the old American Cafe)
g Horse & buggy rides — Sat., Dec. 15 and 22, 6:30-8:30 p.m. beginning at 185 N. Main St/Station on Main; $7 per person/ children 5 & under free
For details, call 909-2263 or visit www.historicdowntownmocksville.com

‘Christmas at the Cabins’
STATESVILLE — Iredell Museums presents Christmas at the Cabins 1862 at the Gregory Creek Homestead on Saturday, Dec. 8, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Step back in time 150 years to experience a Christmas in Iredell County with historic interpreters in period attire. $5 adults, $3 children. Gregory Creek Homestead, 1335 Museum Road. 704-873-4734 or www.iredellmuseums.org. for details.
?Music of the Season with Karl Hales
Music and Stories of the Season with Karl Hales returns, this year at the Norvell Theater, at 7 p.m. on Monday-Tuesday evenings, Dec. 10-11. A Christmas Tradition with Karl Hales features Neal Wilkinson, Leslie Dunkin and pianist Susan Trivette. The Norvell Theater is located at 135 E. Fisher St. Admission: canned goods for Rowan Helping Ministries.

‘Christmas in Swing Time’
Mark your calendars: the Rowan Big Band All Stars present their holiday concert, “Christmas in Swing Time,” at Christ United Methodist Church, 3401 Mooresville Road, on Sunday, Dec. 30 from 7-9 p.m. Doors open to the Family Life Center at 6:30 p.m. A love offering will be taken for Communities in Schools of Rowan.

‘The Last Big Gay Christmas Ever’
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Charlotte and Salisbury-Rowan PFLAG present “The Last Big Gay Christmas Ever!” an original program satirizing the notion of, according to the ancient Mayan calendar, the worlds end on Dec. 21. The concert is Friday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m., at Haven Evangelical Lutheran Church at 207 W. Harrison St. An informal reception with refreshments follows the free performance.

New Year’s Eve Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre
CONCORD — Tickets are available now for Old Courthouse Theatre’s 22nd annual New Year’s Eve Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre & Silent Auction.
The fun starts at 7:30 p.m. in the fifth Floor Ballroom at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Tickets are $75/person or $150 /couple if reservations are made and paid for by Dec. 15. After Dec. 15 tickets are $85/person or $170/couple. Price includes appetizers, dinner, desert, wine, champagne toast, party favors, a deejay for dancing and listening and the Murder Mystery. Tables can seat 8 – 10. Space is limited. Table reservations based on first reserved/first paid basis. Call OCT at 704-788-2405 or email to info@oldcourthousetheatre.org
This mystery dinner show spoofs the movie “Casablanca” and the American Dream of winning the jackpot. Throw music and mayhem into the mix and you have – “Dealt A Deadly Hand–Murder at the Pocono Royale Casino!” www.oldcourthousetheatre.org

‘Wicked’ returns
CHARLOTTE — Broadway’s biggest blockbuster will return to Ovens Auditorium March 13-31. Tickets go on sale tomorrow at 9 a.m., Friday, Dec. 7,at BlumenthalArts.org or 704-327-1000.

Discovery Place holiday hours
CHARLOTTE — Discovery Place will have exhibitions, movies, special programs and workshops while the kids are out of school. There will be extended hours during the week after Christmas by staying open an additional hour. Operating hours from Wednesday, Dec. 26 – Friday, Dec. 28 will be 9 a.m.– 5 p.m.
Discovery Place will be open New Year’s Day; Tuesday, January 1 from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. The Museum is closed on Christmas Eve Day and Christmas Day.
All Museum events and activities are free with admission unless otherwise noted. For more information call 704-372-6261 x300 or visit discoveryplace.org

The Chuckleheads spoof the holidays
CHARLOTTE — Here is your chance to experience “A Very Special Holiday (All of Them) Comedy Improv Musical Variety Extravaganza Starring the Chuckleheads” on Saturday, Dec. 8 beginning at 8 p.m. at The Ballantyne Art Center, 11318 Community House Road, Suite 303, Charlotte, Tickets are $10 when purchased at www.planetimprov.com or $15 when purchased at the door. www.planetimprov.com
The show will be holiday-themed versions of improvisational comedy (ala Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Improv-a-ganza, and the Second City,) musical games/activities, game show elements, and the heavy-duty audience participation that are staples of Chuckleheads’ shows.
“Fabulous holiday-themed prizes” will be raffled off during the show as a fundraiser. The Chuckleheads are the house improvisational troupe of the 501c3 non-profit corporation, Actor’s Crib, Inc. Drinks and snacks will be available at The Ballantyne Arts Center before the show.
For more information visit www.planetimprov.com or contact Scott Pacitti at 704-301-1564.